Where are you gonna be and for how long. There is good fishing everywhere in New Zealand. Lots of info on line but donít think you have to go to all the spots on a top ten list or anything. So much water there with so much good fish salt or freshwater. Iíve spent quite a bit of time in nz. And a bit of fishing there as well. Iím gonna be there in January. Also you donít need a guide. I personally like to learn things myself. Itís a lot more satisfying and so far I havenít gone somewhere I wasnít rewarded for my efforts. Do some research and talk to locals. But it is not that hard to find fishy places down there and if you need access you wonít find friendlier people.

I fished both islands for 1.5 months about 15 years ago. The fishing was exceptional and I was unguided. When I was there I found information was freely available as they promote NZ as a tourist fishing destination. I was there for the cicada fishing in the north that lived up to its reputation. As for patters: the usual nymphs produce there as they do here. As usual - the more you buy there the more information the shops will give. Some of the best fishing I had was around lake taupo at the many creek and river mouth fishing small baitfish patterns on a type 5 tip - I did this for a week straigh and did not get bored

For the big browns - it really is hunting. The game there is to slowly walk the shores looking for cruising / feeding fish and targeting them appropriately. You will here and read a lot of talk about how spooky they are in almost mythical terms - donít let this scare you off, I found them to be no different than any other brown across North America.

I fished both islands for 1.5 months about 15 years ago. The fishing was exceptional and I was unguided. When I was there I found information was freely available as they promote NZ as a tourist fishing destination. I was there for the cicada fishing in the north that lived up to its reputation. As for patters: the usual nymphs produce there as they do here. As usual - the more you buy there the more information the shops will give. Some of the best fishing I had was around lake taupo at the many creek and river mouth fishing small baitfish patterns on a type 5 tip - I did this for a week straigh and did not get bored

For the big browns - it really is hunting. The game there is to slowly walk the shores looking for cruising / feeding fish and targeting them appropriately. You will here and read a lot of talk about how spooky they are in almost mythical terms - donít let this scare you off, I found them to be no different than any other brown across North America.

It is an awesome place - I hope to get back

Thanks for the info.

Did you mean cruising browns in Taupo? Or somewhere else?

I'll be in Taupo primarily, but have the option to go anywhere else I want.

There is good fishing around river and lake fishing around Taupo. Good lakes to be fished in the Rotorua area. I live in Whakatane and we have some great rivers around here to fish. Mid February will give you a shot at Marlin and hopefully Yellowfin Tuna in the salt. Feel free to pm me.
regards,
Gary

I am back in NZ at the moment, what are you hoping to target, trout, salmon, or NZ salt water, the rivers will be low, and clear when you get here and the fish spooky, and weary, brush up on your casting if you fly fish, I use a five weight for most NZ trout fishing, weighted nymphs in 10-14 in common flys, I use a lot of tungsten nymphs, as you got to get down to the fish, in spring flows and again in deep pools late summer.

Was out yesterday, in central NI, and got a few rainbows, but bit windy, been waiting a week, for the west coast to get fishable, and the swell and wind to drop,
boat ready, hopefully tommorow, keen for a feed of snapper or gurnard,
Sea fishings a real mixed bag over here, do a charter for kingfish, I recommend epic charters.
Bring a 6-7 foot 4pc fishing rod, 4-8kg class, with a 3000-4000 sized reel, and a couple spools, one 8-10 for trout and another 12-14lbs for salt, that get you into kahawai, and other inshore spieces. Vertex and small rapalas for trout, and 2-3" spoons and crocs, etc for river mouths and harbours.

Several big rivers around Taupo.
The Waikato is the out flow river, biggest in North island.
Tongariro the largest of the inflow rivers, and very well known for trout, Marjor runs in the winter,
Tokaanu tail race, fishes very well, on the south side, of the lake, but is a bit over grown in many spots for fly fishing, got a few good fish, in there over the years,
Twenty or so other rivers flow in to Taupo, all have trout, and any inflow will have a few fish about on the lake drop off. Lake edge for cruising trout.
Cicada hatch, will be on by Feb, and this can have sum fantastic fishing on lake and rivers.
Rotoura lakes and rivers only an hour away, and the headwaters of sum great back country rivers, a half day hike, like the Mohaka, Ngaruroro, Rangitaiki etc.

Spooner, give me a PM, closer to the time you leave Canada, I may be off for the month of February, and back in NZ.
If your up for a fly in back country trip, split you on the chopper, and if you want a couple days in the Salt, come over to Taranaki, and I can put you up, and take you for a fish, (weather dependant, I only have a small boat)
Tuna, and Marlin around Taranaki in Feb.

Might not be as expensive as you think, $600-1200 return, in an out several days later, split 50/50. Depending on location.
I will check, as thinking of flying in this trip, for a hunt and fish.
We can walk in, in if your interested, I could do with a few day of hard exercise, burn of sum fat. Lots options with a hard half day, tramp/hike in.

Spooner, like Southernman i'm from there too but live here in Alberta. I just got back from a quick two week visit to family in the Sth Island. All i will say is: Take Southernman up on his generous offer and if you have to save a little extra for a heli flight i doubt you will ever regret it. Either way, have fun and max out your time there.

Fished NZ 2 yrs ago Bay of islands look up Earl Grey Fishing Charters he took us out for King Fish caught a ton, great boat and guide. Tell him to fillet one and take it to the local chinese restaurant to cook it for you its great.